New Thomson Cruise - To Harwich!

13 January 2012, 13:08 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

Europe's biggest holiday company has launched a new £100 cruise for the peak summer season with one catch - the destination is Essex!

The Thomson Spirit sails from South Shields to the Essex port of Harwich, taking just 16 hours and travelling no more than 30 miles from the English coast.

The ship usually sails from glamourous Mediterranean ports such as Barcelona, Palma and Corfu - but the £100 special leaves the Tyne Dock in South Shields instead!

The new bargain cruise has been popular - with all deluxe cabins apparently sold out.

Standard cabins are being sold at £200 for two, and the hourly rate for the cruise works out at £6.25.

If you were to get a train between the two locations it'd cost you almost £140 and you wouldn't have the choice of three restaurants, five bars and even two swimming pools!